Rocky Mountain Eggs Donate 21,600 Eggs Just In Time For Easter

Rocky Mountain Eggs of Idaho is helping in the fight against hunger by donating more than 21,000 eggs to The Idaho Foodbank on Thursday, March 28th at 1 p.m.

Families continue to struggle to put food on their tables, leading more and more to turn to food assistance organizations across the country for help. In fact, more than 48 million Americans live in homes where hunger is a reality.

“We’re thrilled to donate much-needed protein to The Idaho Foodbank just in time for the Easter holiday,” stated John Lamunyon of Rocky Mountain Eggs. “We take pride in giving back to our local community.”

Tony Rice and John Lamunyon of Rocky Mountain Eggs chat with Karen Vauk, President and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank.

In Idaho, there are 267,620 people struggling with hunger – 17 percent of the total population or roughly 1 in 6 Idahoans. This is the 20th highest rate in the country. In 2012, the Idaho Foodbank network distributed 11.4 million pounds of food to their 220 partner agencies.

Among the most needed items at food assistance organizations are sources of high quality protein, such as fresh eggs. According to the USDA, one large egg delivers six grams of protein and 13 essential nutrients such as choline, folate, iron and zinc. Additionally, the USDA concluded in 2011 that the average amount of cholesterol was 14 percent lower and vitamin D content was 64 percent higher than previously thought.

“Year-round our generous farmers donate fresh eggs to their local food assistance organizations,” stated Chad Gregory, president and CEO of United Egg Producers. “We come together during the Easter season to give a little extra and make fresh eggs available to food insecure families across the country.”

For the sixth consecutive Easter season, the United Egg Producers have organized a nationwide effort to give food insecure families a helping hand. U.S. egg farmers are donating nearly nine million fresh eggs this year, bringing the total number of fresh eggs donated by egg farmers since 2008 to 69 million.

Consumers can also participate in the nationwide effort by going to www.facebook.com/UEPCertified and pledging to buy UEP-certified eggs. For every pledge received, United Egg Producers will donate one carton of eggs to a local food assistance organization.

About United Egg Producers

United Egg Producers (UEP) is the nation’s leading trade association for U.S. egg farmers, representing about 95 percent of U.S. egg production. UEP members produce eggs using various systems including conventional cage production, enriched cages, cage-free, free range, organic and other specialty eggs. UEP is currently asking congress to amend the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments which will provide egg laying hens with more space and allow them to perform their natural behaviors such as perching, scratching and laying their eggs in a private nest box area. For more information, visit www.uepcertified.com and www.eggbill.com. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/UEPCertified or follow our updates on Twitter at twitter.com/UEPCertified.